[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by tuco44

Do not agree.

IMO, the V8 was too heavy for that car, and the high hp/lower tq made for an engine less fun than the in-line six variants. Just my opinion, and yes, I did own one.

You know the V8 was lighter than the boat anchor S54 in the E46, right?

[positiveions]

E30: nostalgia

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by aozer

e46 is the most iconic

E30 is definitely the iconic model. 1st one, blah blah. E46 was the best of the run though. Blend the two and you have the perfect BMW.

[monochrom3]

e46 for me. Great balance of size, power, handling. I know we're not talking any frankenstein cars here, but i gotta say the e36 with an s54 is awesome

[Esteban]

My vote goes to the E46 M3. Just a beautiful car with timeless good looks. Love every curve and line on the car. And the size is perfect IMO. Also love the S54 engine. Enough power, even for today.

[1MOREMOD]

I've driven e36, e46, e90 and f80. Owned and tracked extensively the e46 and e90. For me it's a toss up between those 2 but lean towards the e46. Beautiful, handsome car with lots of soul.

[Sephiroth]

Only owned the E46 and E92, love them both for different reasons, also drove F80 ZCP.

E30 is the most special I think. It’s the original.

E92 to me is the perfect blend of refinement, sound, practicality, and sport to me. The others are compromised with regard to these factors. E46 has way better steering and is more uncouth, but I can’t be bothered to put an exhaust on it.

F80 is ultimately too much car for the road.

[rackjuediger]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

E30 is definitely the iconic model. 1st one, blah blah. E46 was the best of the run though. Blend the two and you have the perfect BMW.

There's this local guy who put them together. Look up @notmattguitarmurphy on Instagram

[dizzyF30]

I think the F80 is the best looking M3.
I've owned the E36, driven the E46, driven the F80.
For me, the E9x is the one that still "feels" like a BMW and offers a special engine.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think the e36m3 was most far ahead of its competition and time, and then I mean the 1995 facelift.
In 1995, 321HP was immense, certainly for a 1.460 kg car.
Looking at the competition at that time....
Audi had a S2 quattro coupe.... with 230hp (1.463 kg)
OF course audi also had the porsche build RS2 avant with 316HP (still less than the bmw) but it weighed 1600kg, was produced in very low numbers and had handling issues.
Mercedes had the C36AMG, but that had only 280HP (41hp less than the bmw)

In that time, competition had to come from porsche or ferrari (f355). But even the 993 carrera S had 285HP back in that era, so BMW was playing with some pretty high positioned cars back in the day. That is the Euro e36 M3 of course, the USA model was nothing special.

By the time the e46 M3 came along both Audi and Mercedes already caught up and had models in their range (RS4, C32AMG) with more power than the M3. The M3 was still the better handling car, but in the days of the e36M3, BMW had both a far better handling car but also with considerable more power than the competition. They were top dog back then.

Nowadays they're playing catch up, with C63AMGs and Alfa Guilia QV having way more power, even more (50HP more) than the special edition m4CS, and with the Guilia QV taking the nordschleife lap record in its class when it came out....
Lots has changed in the past 20 years.

The euro e36 M3 had 282 hp in 1995.

[Germanauto]

Unfortunately I just haven't had the opportunity to drive the E46 so I'll roll with the E9X.

Current gen just feels too numb for me. It's an excellent DD because it can be comfortable too, but when driven hard I just didn't get the tactile and lively feeling from the steering and chassis that the E9X and frankly all BMWs before the F-platforms provided.

At least the F80 is extremely good looking, especially in coupe form. Easily one of the most attractive cars in the entire world.

[zuckuss07]

The E46 M3 CSL is still the greatest driving machine BMW has ever created.

[deansbimmer]

Here's how I break down the voters from this poll:

E30 M3: Correct vote.
E36 M3: This is the only M3 they've ever owned/driven.
E46 M3: This is the only M3 they've ever owned/driven.
E9x M3: Forum Biased voter/This is the only M3 they've ever owned/driven.
F8x M3: Too elitist to vote otherwise.
Other: Throw away vote.

[Habs89]

E46 for me, and its not even close

[1MOREMOD]

Interior not very desirable

[1MOREMOD]

Yeah think any other color is more sought after, that yas is interesting color though

[Car36m3]

Own E92 M3, incredible engine,,,,but my choice would be E46 M3

[Obioban]

Without a second's hesitation, e46

[10"]

E30 by miles and miles...nothing else comes close IMO.

If we are choosing "other" then the 1M. Watch the "Icon" video where Everyday Driver reviews ALL the M3s along with the 1M and M2. They got that review right too...

[SunnyD]

E46 was hands down the best looking, but the e9x had the best engine.

[Chappers 71]

E36 Evo for me, in silver or techno violet. I was very tempted to buy one and drove a couple on extended test drives when I was looking to replace my e39 540i but ended up putting my sensible head on & bought a e36 328is instead.

[///Mangler]

This